Tahoe Fund

What runs deeper than Lake Tahoe? Our desire to preserve it.

  • About Us
    • Strategic Plan
    • Our Governance
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
    • Financials
    • Our Founders
    • Stewardship Circle Donors
    • Teens 4 Tahoe
    • Careers
  • Projects
    • Our Projects
    • Submit a Project
    • Support a Project
      • Achieve Tahoe Summer Programs
      • Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
      • Echo Lakes Trail Restoration
      • Environmental Venture Trust
      • Smartest Forest Fund
      • Tahoe Meadows Access Ramp
      • Take Care Tahoe
      • Tahoe City Bear Plaques
      • Tahoe East Shore Trail
      • Tahoe Fund Endowment
      • Tahoe Trails Endowment
  • Ways to Give
    • Donate Online
    • Current Projects
    • Join The Stewardship Circle
    • Smartest Forest Fund
    • Planned Giving
    • In Memoriam Donations
    • Tahoe Weddings
    • $1 for Tahoe
    • Corporate Partnerships
  • Events
    • Boat Parade
      • 2023 Boat Parade
      • 2022 Boat Parade
      • 2021 Boat Parade
      • 2020 Boat Parade
    • Founders Circle Summer Celebration
    • Lake Tahoe Summit
      • 2023 Lake Tahoe Summit
      • 2022 Lake Tahoe Summit
      • 2021 Lake Tahoe Summit
      • 2020 Lake Tahoe Summit
    • Tahoe Fund Talks
      • Life Beneath Tahoe Waters
      • California & Nevada’s Commitment to Lake Tahoe
      • The CARES Act Impact on 2020 Giving
  • PLATES FOR POWDER
  • News
  • Blog
You are here: Home / Blog

Tahoe Fund Teamed Up with Boys & Girls Club to Expand Access to Climbing

September 14, 2023 by Caroline Waldman

Rock climbing is an increasingly popular sport in the United States. From new indoor climbing gyms popping up across the country to gear shops exceeding their sale numbers for popular climbing gear, it’s safe to say this sport has captured the interest of recreation enthusiasts. 

“Climbing is a unique and incredible sport that challenges people both mentally and physically,” said Gianna Aveni, owner of Blue Granite Climbing Gym in South Lake Tahoe. “Climbers can gain self-confidence, find a fun way to exercise and lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle, be a part of a social group, or find valuable time for introspection. It’s a versatile sport with so much to offer different people.” 

Despite the popularity of this sport, it’s not always the most accessible. High costs for gym memberships and equipment can be preventative barriers to climbing, especially for underserved communities. 

Although the Tahoe Fund is focused on expanding access and inclusion in outdoor recreation, we recognize that new sports are often easier and safer to learn indoors. That’s why, with the support of our Stewardship Circle donors, we funded a new indoor climbing program for the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. 

“Climbing is a fantastic sport and easily available in Tahoe, but if no one in your family or friendship circle climbs, it can be a really hard activity to get into,” said Jude Wood, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe. “Being able to offer a climbing program this summer and providing access to kids who normally wouldn’t have the opportunity was incredible.” 

Every Friday during the summer, two groups of twelve kids headed over to Blue Granite Climbing Gym for hands-on instruction from climbing coaches. After mastering the basics, many of the kids were able to quickly progress and looked forward to returning each week to learn something new. 

One female member shared that although she was initially cautious, she quickly grew to love the new sport. “I had never climbed before and I really enjoyed it,” she said. “It was my favorite activity this summer.” Another participant expressed enthusiasm for his favorite activities in the program, saying: “I really like bouldering and doing the obstacle courses.”

This new program was also part of Blue Granite’s Community Climbing Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to remove barriers to climbing, broaden accessibility to the sport, promote and celebrate inclusivity, and provide under-resourced youth and under-represented populations the opportunity to experience rock climbing.

“We are so grateful to the Tahoe Fund and Blue Granite for this experience,” said Wood. “ We hope that we can continue to partner together to get more local kids into climbing.”

Filed Under: News

Divers to Remove Invasive Plants in Emerald Bay

September 11, 2023 by Caroline Waldman

Starting today, divers will begin removing aquatic invasive plants in Emerald Bay, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) announced today. Control of this one and a half-acre Eurasian watermilfoil infestation in the iconic location will help protect the region’s ecosystem and water quality.

“Thanks to a coordinated and collaborative effort, when invasive plants were discovered in Emerald Bay last fall, TRPA and Tahoe Resource Conservation District were able to quickly mobilize to secure permits, funding, and contractors to attack this infestation before it grows out of control,” said TRPA’s aquatic invasive species program manager Dennis Zabaglo.

The Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) highlights the control of aquatic invasive species as a top priority for regional watershed health. A decade ago, EIP partners treated 6 acres in Emerald Bay for aquatic weeds and declared it weed-free. Now, annual surveillance efforts by contract scuba divers and the CA State Parks dive team help detect any invasive aquatic weeds and trigger removal efforts to prevent species like Eurasian watermilfoil from establishing in the bay.

“This popular area attracts boaters from around the lake, and the underwater California State Park is under constant threat of reintroduction,” said Courtney Rowe, Senior Environmental Scientist with California State Parks. “When boats bring fragments of Eurasian watermilfoil from other parts of the lake, they can quickly become an infestation without ongoing monitoring and response.”

Aquatic invasive plant infestations threaten water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and recreation. Once established, they are more complicated and resource-intensive to remove, making expedient action crucial for success.

Critical funding from the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act and Tahoe Fund has made it possible to quickly address this infestation.

“Lake clarity is at the center of what makes Tahoe iconic, and improving this famed clarity is a major priority for the Tahoe Fund,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “We were pleased to provide $50,000 for the removal of these weeds in Emerald Bay and will continue to support aquatic invasive species removal efforts that positively impact the health of our lake.” 

Divers will be suctioning and hand pulling these weeds in various locations around Emerald Bay from Monday, September 11 through Friday, September 15. Agencies remind boaters to respect the 5 mph no wake zone and be mindful of contractors for everyone’s safety.

Learn more about the project at https://eip.laketahoeinfo.org/Project/FactSheet/01.03.01.0025

Filed Under: News

FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS BLOCK TRAILS

July 19, 2023 by Caroline Waldman

Starting last week, trail users on the popular multi-use Legacy Trail in Truckee will find new messages stenciled in chalk along the path. From educational “share the path” and “keep right” reminders, to more tongue-in-cheek messages like “friends don’t let friends block trails” and “it’s okay to be shy, but if you’re about to pass, say hi,” the goal of the new Take Care Tahoe campaign is to reduce trail user conflicts and collisions on paved paths in the region. The two biggest issues are large groups blocking the entire trail by walking side-by-side, and bikes going too fast around pedestrians. 

“The Town is happy to be partnering with Take Care Tahoe on this pilot initiative. As the popularity of our trail system continues to grow, reminders of trail etiquette are becoming more important,” said Jen Callaway, Truckee Town Manager. “We have heard from our community there is a need to deter user conflicts and accidents on trails. With this campaign and fun messaging, we will be able to see how effective this type of signage and communication can be to remind everyone how to use our trails.”

The campaign will launch with an initial list of 20 messages that include straightforward instructions, funny reminders, and Spanish-language messages. The public will be encouraged to share their feedback and new message ideas on Take Care Tahoe’s website and social media channels. Any new message ideas that are submitted have the potential to become new stencils.

“As more people use paved paths to walk, run, and ride throughout the region, it has become more important than ever to remind users about how to share the trail with others,” said Noah Shapiro, Take Care Tahoe program manager. “We’re hoping that a series of lighthearted messages stenciled along the trail itself will grab the attention of more people than a traditional posted sign might.”

In addition to the Legacy Trail, the campaign will be introduced on the Trout Creek trail in Truckee once construction is completed. In the future, it may also be expanded to other regional multi-use paved trails.

Learn more about the trail etiquette campaign at takecaretahoe.org.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

TAHOE FUND LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR MAJOR TRAIL RESTORATION WORK IN DESOLATION WILDERNESS

July 12, 2023 by Caroline Waldman

Nineteen miles of trail that travel through Desolation Wilderness from Echo Lakes to Lake Aloha are in desperate need of extensive restoration work due to high use, erosion and extreme weather events. To address this critical need, the nonprofit Tahoe Fund is partnering with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association to launch a $50,000 matching campaign. 

“In the last year alone, the section of trail that travels from Echo Lakes to Lake Aloha had over 2,000 trail users per week between June and September,” said Morgan Steel, Executive Director, Tahoe Rim Trail Association. “With the support of Tahoe Fund donors, we will be able to undertake major restoration work to repair and fortify this popular section of the Tahoe Rim Trail system co-aligned with the Pacific Crest Trail.” 

The work to be completed over the next two years will include re-establishing the trail tread, completing extensive rock work to make the trail surface safer for hikers and equestrians, and adding drainages to decrease erosion. Together, these trail restoration activities will protect water quality, prevent habitat and landscape fragmentation, and protect sensitive biological resources.

“This beloved section of trail takes you to gorgeous alpine lakes and through pristine wilderness,” said Deb Howard, Tahoe Fund board member. “We’re calling on our community to help fund this restoration work to give all trail users a safer, more enjoyable experience, while also reducing the impact on Tahoe’s sensitive alpine environment.”

All donations to the Echo Lakes Trail Restoration project will be doubled until the $50,000 fundraising goal is reached. Contributions will also be matched with funding from the Latrobe Fund and in-kind contributions from California Conservation Corps, the Pacific Crest Trail Association, and the US Forest Service. 

Learn more about the project and donate at www.tahoefund.org/desolation.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TUNNEL CREEK SINGLETRACK TRAIL BEGINS

July 6, 2023 by Caroline Waldman

Construction of the new 2.3-mile Tunnel Creek Singletrack Trail is now underway, thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Tahoe Fund, a Recreation Trails Program grant from Nevada State Parks, and trail-building efforts by Great Basin Institute and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA). This new trail will reduce conflicts between hikers and bikers on the busy Tunnel Creek Road, which is a popular route to and from Monkey Rock, Marlette Flume Trail, Incline Flume Trail, and the Tahoe Rim Trail.

“This trail will provide new opportunities for sustainable recreation in the Tahoe Basin and make the experience better and safer for two very different user groups,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We are thankful to all of our donors for helping us raise the funds necessary to make this trail a reality, and to our great partners at Nevada State Parks, Great Basin Institute, and TAMBA for their hard work to build it.”

The trail will be constructed to the International Mountain Biking Association’s green classification with grades of less than 15% and an average of 8%. Trail users can expect to see trail crews and equipment on Tunnel Creek Road this season, as crews begin the work of trail alignment and installation of at least one bridge.

“The Nevada Division of State Parks is excited to improve the experience for park visitors. It is a long-standing goal of the division to provide safer and sustainable recreation within Spooner Lake and Backcountry State Park, and this project will be an asset for many years to come,” said Kevin Fromherz, Conservation Staff Specialist, Nevada Tahoe Resource Team, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “We would like to thank the Tahoe Fund, Great Basin Institute, Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association, Nevada Tahoe Resource Team, Flume Trail Bikes, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Tunnel Creek Lodge, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Environmental Improvement Program for their hard work in planning and permitting this project. We are excited to see construction begin.”   

The Great Basin Institute, with support from the Nevada Conservation Corps program, TAMBA, Nevada State Parks, Flume Trail Bikes, Nevada Tahoe Resource Team, and the Tunnel Creek Lodge, secured a $72,265 grant from Nevada State Parks through the Recreation Trails Program for the first phase of trail construction. 

Learn more about the project at https://www.tahoefund.org/projects/active-projects/tunnel-creek-singletrack/.

Filed Under: News

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 73
  • Next Page »

INTERACTIVE MAP

Explore our projects and learn more about how they will help shape the future of Lake Tahoe.

Keep up with our latest news & events by joining our e-newsletter.

Categories

  • $1 for Tahoe
  • Archive
  • Events
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Tahoe Fun Facts
  • News
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

PO Box 7124  |   Tahoe City, CA 96145  |   775.298.0035

Tax ID: 01-0974628